* Simeon Birnbaum won his second straight South Dakota state title in October
Photo Credit: Simeon Birnbaum Instagram
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HEARTLAND REGION:
Expect the unexpected at the Team Heartland Region on Sunday.
And there's a very good reason for that.
That's because there's always a bit of spontaneity to this race, which features athletes from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
To make matters more interesting, runners compete on a track-like surface at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The mile-wide course, which covers three loops, runs fast and always leads to a rabid finish to the line.
But up top, we don't have many doubts.
The boys race will feature Rapid City Stevens superstar Simeon Birnbaum, an Oregon signee who is a potential title-contender at nationals.
The South Dakota native has run a 5K PR of 14:47 and is coming off his second straight South Dakota state title.
While he's not the fastest overall athlete in the Heartland Region -- Wyatt Haughton (Shawnee Mission East, KS) has posted a time of 14:46 and Clay Shively (Wichita Trinity, KS) has clocked a 14:47 for 5K -- he shouldn't sweat too, much.
If anything, we could see a PR from Birnbaum this weekend.
But beyond him, there are fewer guarantees, and that's where this gets fun.
Only two teams are guaranteed automatic qualification to Team Nationals, while the first five individuals not on qualified teams earn autos, too.
This is where it could be anyone's ball-game.
Three MileSplit50 ranked teams will be in attendance, from No.14 Wayzata to No. 15 Dowling Catholic and No. 20 Stevens Point. But Minnesota teams like Rosemount and Minneapolis also have a shot.
So does Lakeville North (MN), Shawnee Mission East (KS), Oconomowoc (WI) and Williston (ND).
Individually, watch out for Ford Washburn (Iowa City, IA), Manny Putz (Onalaska, WI), Jackson Heidesch (Dowling Catholic, IA), Noah Breker (Robbinsdale Armstrong, MN), Sawyer Clarkson (Belle Fourche, SD), Owen Bosley (Homestead, WI), Sam Scott (Minneapolis Southwest, MN) and Aidan Jones (Minneapolis Washburn, MN).
MileSplit50 Heartland Regional Rankings
1. Wayzata (MN)
2. Dowling Catholic (IA)
3. Stevens Point (WI)
4. Rosemount (MN)
5. Minneapolis Washburn (MN)
Team Heartland Team Predictions
Cory's Picks
finish | team |
---|---|
1 | Stevens Point (WI) |
2 | Dowling Catholic (IA) |
3 | Wayzata (MN) |
4 | Rosemount (MN) |
5 | Lakeville North (MN) |
Ashley's Picks
finish | team |
---|---|
1 | Dowling Catholic (IA) |
2 | Wayzata (MN) |
3 | Stevens Point (MI) |
4 | Rosemount (MN) |
5 | Lakeville North (MN) |
Team Heartland Individual Predictions
Cory's Picks
finish | individual |
---|---|
1 | Simeon Birnbaum, Rapid City Stevens (SD) |
2 | Noah Breker, Robbinsdale Armstrong (MN) |
3 | Manny Putz, Onalaska (WI) |
4 | Jackson Heidesch, Dowling Catholic (IA) |
5 | Owen Bosley, Homstead (WI) |
Ashley's Picks
finish | individual |
---|---|
1 | Simeon Birnbaum, Rapid City Stevens (SD) |
2 | Wyatt Haughton, Shawnee Mission (KS) |
3 | Jackson Heidesch, Dowling Catholic (IA) |
4 | Aidan Jones, Minneapolis Washburn (MN) |
5 | Manny Putz, Onalaska (WI) |